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Image: Chris Radburn / PA Wire
Our friends at Bookshop.org have partnered with the Booksellers Association (BA) to launch a new initiative to encourage new bookstores to open to help underrepresented communities.
New Futures aims to inspire the opening of new stores that create new avenues for different books to reach the hands of all readers.
In recent years there has been a greater focus on diversity in the publishing industry, with efforts to increase representation in the publishing industry itself and the adoption of titles from authors whose voices have historically been underrepresented.
Through a mentoring and evaluation process, New Futures will provide hands-on support to help shortlist applicants create their business plan for a multichannel bookstore.
The mentoring will come from industry partners in retail, technology and the book trade through a focused training and support program to provide participants with everything they need to build their business.
Successful finalists will be given all the tools they need to start a bookstore that will create new and sustainable avenues for diverse books to get into the hands of more readers and contribute to greater vibrancy and resilience in the UK community.
The initiative encourages application from under-represented communities who believe they have the potential to build a viable bookselling business, including:
- People who identify as blacks and other marginalized ethnic groups
- LGBTQIA + people
- Working class people
- People with physical disabilities
- People with neurodiversity
- People with mental health problems
- People with learning difficulties
Applications are possible from now until Friday, November 12th. The shortlist will be announced on January 21, 2022.
For more information and to apply, click here.
If you have any questions, questions or problems filling out the application form, please send an email to the bookshop.org team.
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